csea 651 members in a training from cpd day 2024

csea 262 members at the fall 2024 kickoff for cpd day

csea 262 members at the fall 2024 kickoff for cpd day watching a presenter

group of faculty watching a large presentation at fall 2024 flex.

new managers posing for a group photograph at their 2024 retreat

What is the New Employee Success Program?

The Mt. San Antonio College New Employee Success Program (NESP) is a mentor program for probationary employees that provides clear, comprehensive guidance to help new Mt. SAC employees succeed in their careers. It fosters a community focused on professional growth and development, alleviates the stress of joining a new organization, enhances job performance, and improves workforce retention. NESP equips probationary employees with the tools to achieve their professional goals and advance in their careers.

Through a coaching approach, NESP creates a lasting sense of belonging and community within our institution, promoting confidence, motivation, and seamless integration into our academic community. Our aim is to support probationary employees in navigating their roles, contributing to a vibrant, inclusive, and successful institution. We are committed to retaining and nurturing our talented workforce, ensuring all employees can thrive at Mt. SAC.

What Do Probationary Employees Gain from NESP?

The New Employee Success Program has five key outcomes:

- Enhanced Career Development
  Probationary employees will receive comprehensive mentoring, guidance and resources, empowering them to achieve their professional goals and excel in their careers. Participants will experience accelerated professional growth through structured mentorship, hands-on learning experiences, and targeted skill-building opportunities.
- Improved Retention
  Increased workforce retention and decreased position turnover will result from higher levels of confidence, motivation, community, job satisfaction, and lower levels of stress.
- Improved Job Performance
  Improved job performance will result from the support and guidance of experienced mentors, coaching, and constructive feedback.
- A Culture of Support and Inclusion
  NESP will promote a mentorship culture grounded in the values of the institution, ensuring probationary employees are respected, valued and supported.
- Effective Integration
  Probationary employees will experience a smoother transition into the institution, feeling integrated and connected to the academic community. NESP will facilitate meaningful relationships between mentors and mentees, fostering a supportive network that extends beyond the initial onboarding period.

How Do I Get Involved?

Probationary Employees

Probationary employees are automatically enrolled in NESP as a mentee with the option to opt-out. They will receive direct communication with the instructions and can expect to be paired with a mentor within 30-60 days of completion of their profile. Links for new employees to complete their profiles via Qooper can be found below:

How Do I Become a Mentor?

Mentors are a cornerstone of NESP and will meet with mentees regularly to provide professional support, review probationary evaluations, and help clarify evaluation expectations. Employees interested in becoming mentors can complete a mentor application below and will be notified when matched with a mentee.

I've Submitted My Application or Created a Profile

What's Next?

Matching

Employees and mentors are matched based on their professional interest and proficiencies. Matching between mentees and mentors usually occurs within 30-60 days, but may begin sooner.

Launch

Both mentors and mentees can expect to meet face to face at our opening event, learn more about each other, and exchange contact information. Mentees and mentors will remain in contact throughout the duration of the program.

Mentors are required to attend a 1 hour mentor training prior to the opening event.

Support

The duration of NESP varies by employee type with the mentor providing support and mentorship through the mentee's probationary period.

Full-Time Faculty: during the probationary period, not exceeding 2 years.
Classified/Confidential: aligned with contracted probationary periods.
Management: in alignment with the first year.

Frequently Asked Questions

- What is the duration of the program?
  
  The mentor's participation is dependent upon their assigned mentee's probationary period. Mentees participate in the program in alignment with their probationary periods.
- How frequently will mentees/mentors meet during the program?
  
  Mentors will be expected to meet with their mentees at least 30 minutes per week during the first month of the mentorship and at least 30 minutes twice per month thereafter, not to exceed one hour for any meeting.
- As a classified mentor, will I be working outside my of my classification?
  
  No. Your participation as a mentor fulfills support of DEI as reflected on your job description.
- Can adjunct faculty participate?
  
  Not at this time. The grant funding for this project specified probationary employees. For faculty, this means tenure track.
- What if the mentee/mentor match isn't working?
  
  The NESP seeks to ensure effective matches based on selection criteria and feedback. If the mentor/mentee match is not successful, we encourage communication of this information with the program administrators via the Qooper mentor platform so that the matter can be discussed and addressed.
- I am a manager and my employee is participating in NESP. What should I know?
  - Human Resources will notify managers if they have one or more employees participating in the NESP as a mentor or mentee.
  - Managers are encouraged to support employees by allowing them time to participate in NESP-related activities.
  - Mentors and mentees are expected to communicate with their immediate managers in advance regarding their need to attend NESP meetings and activities.
- Will I be compensated for my service as a mentor?
  - Faculty Mentors: The NESP program is funded by temporary grant funds. Mentors enrolled by May 2, 2025 will be compensated with a one-time enrollment incentive payment upon acceptance to the mentorship program. Program mentoring that takes place after the grant's conclusion on June 30, 2025, is covered by the faculty member's Service Hours to the college.
  - Classified Mentors: Service will be provided during the work day for which the employee is already compensated.
- Will I receive release time as a classified or confidential mentor?
  
  Release time is not applicable, but communication with your manager regarding your commitment is required.
- What is the time commitment for mentors?
  
  Mentor service may not exceed one hour per week. The expected service includes participation in periodic program meetings.
- Will mentors be matched with more than one mentee?
  
  Matches will be made primarily based on a 1:1 ratio; however, there may be circumstances where a mentor will be matched with more than one mentee.
- How are matches made?
  
  Matches are made based on employment classifications and profile characteristics.

Questions?

For more information, please contact us at nesp@mtsac.edu.